Middle relief still a question mark for Dogs
Georgia's bullpen felt the pressure. After the Bulldogs' starting pitchers didn't make it past the fourth inning in its two losses this weekend, the relievers couldn't carry the load.

St. Mary's receives grant for Alzheimer's facility
The Frances Wood Wilson Foundation will provide a $50,000 grant to St. Mary's Health Care System to help fund the construction of a 31-bed Alzheimer's care unit at St. Mary's Highland Hills Village retirement community on Jennings Mill Road, according to Terry Wingfield, chairman of the Wilson Foundation.

Brief Cases: Waterwheel under new ownership
The former Waterwheel Ice Cream shop at 824 Hull Road now is under new ownership and direction. Victor Robinson bought the business and has changed the name to Downhome Waterwheel Cafe.

Permits
Permits issued in Athens-Clarke County during the week of May 4 to May 10, as reported in The Hunt Letter.

Nelson: Park demonstrates Athens' industrial value
In a community distinguished by the University of Georgia, a world-renowned music scene and highly-rated medical centers, most people don't know much about the industrial mix that provides another economic foundation to Athens and the Northeast Georgia area.

Business Whirl: Colbert working as optometry intern
Pennsylvania College of Optometry student Alisa Colbert will work as an optometry intern with Five Points Eye Care Optometry. Colbert is one of many upper-year optometry students who rotate through optometric practices all over the country to gain clinical and practice management experience.

Harris - Wiley engagement
Mr. and Mrs. George Alan Harris of Bowman announce the engagement of their daughter, Cathleen Lauren Harris, to Christopher John Wiley, son of Mr. and Mrs. Johnny Wiley of Comer.

McDonald - Roberts engagement
Mr. and Mrs. Robert McDonald of Conyers are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter Allison Lindsay to Joseph Harrison Roberts, son of Mrs. Freda Roberts of Athens and the late Mr. John Roberts of Atlanta.

Porterfield - Doucette engagement
Mr. Steve Porterfield of Watkinsville and Ms. Marnie Porterfield of Fayetteville, North Carolina are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Laura Brooke, to Keith Edward Doucette, son of Mr. Timothy Doucette of Richlandtown, Pennsylvania and Ms. Nancy McNulty of Point Pleasant, New Jersey.

Man arrested for indecency at library
Police arrested a man for public indecency Friday at the Athens Regional Library after he allegedly followed female employees and patrons around and was found by police sitting next to a woman with his pants unzipped, apparently masturbating, Athens-Clarke police said.

Pedestrian robbed on Branch Street
An Athens man was walking with his wife on Branch Street on Thursday night when another man beat and robbed him, Athens-Clarke police said.

Man stabbed at northside apartment
A man was stabbed early Saturday after fighting with the brother of a woman who was hosting a card game at her apartment, Athens-Clarke police said.

Patrols added after car break-ins
Police are adding extra patrols in a residential complex along South Hampton Court, near the University of Georgia, after a series of car break-ins there Thursday night, Athens-Clarke police said.

Electronics taken from woman's home
A woman in the middle of moving from her Mabry Drive home said someone stole electronic equipment and DVDs worth $1,400 from the home sometime between Wednesday and Friday, Athens-Clarke police said.

LCD projector taken from home
A burglar stole an LCD (liquid crystal display) projector valued at $2,000 from a home on Moss Side Drive between noon May 8 and noon Thursday, Athens-Clarke police said.

Another laptop stolen from UGA
Thieves stole a backpack and its contents, including a laptop computer, during a burglary at the University's of Georgia's Animal Dairy Science Building off College Station Road between 6:45 a.m. and 6 p.m. Wednesday, UGA police said.

FSU president: Playoff will come
GRAPEVINE, Texas - Here's a ray of hope for college football fans bummed by the recent rejection of the plus-one model to determine a national champion.

Georgia golfers bury regional field
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - Russell Henley earned co-medalist honors and top-seeded Georgia golf cruised to a 21-stroke win at the NCAA East Regional on Saturday to qualify for the NCAA Championship.

Nancy MacNair: County's anti-poverty efforts shouldn't be subject to cuts
More than 750 Athenians filled the auditorium at Cedar Shoals High School in March 2006 for the first meeting of Partners for a Prosperous Athens, the local anti-poverty initiative now known as OneAthens. Hundreds of people have worked for years on proposals for combating poverty in Athens-Clarke County. Excellent ideas and proposals have been generated on the topics of education, teen pregnancy, transportation, health care and housing. But it also is clear those proposals will take money.

Jeffrey E. Moss: Libertarian Party offers a worthwhile alternative
Like many conservatives, I usually held my nose and voted for the Republican candidate in political races in hope that maybe, just maybe, I'd vote for the one candidate who would demonstrate leadership and show fiscal responsibility. However, the failed 1994 "Contract with America" ended my loyalty to the Republican Party. The current Republican administration has doubled the size and cost of the federal government.

Bill Bowen III: T-shirt and shorts aren't best choice for job hunt
I recently was in a restaurant in Athens when a young man came in looking for a job. The problem was, he was in a white T-shirt, shorts and flip-flops. I'm not an expert on employment, but I wouldn't give this guy a job. He looked like he had just woke up. The guy working in the dish pit was dressed better than he was. I'm not saying he should have been in a coat and tie, but he should at least have looked like he wanted the job.

R.L. Ratcliff: Death-penalty opponents should answer questions
To those who oppose the death sentence: Why should anyone who has brutally murdered someone, perhaps even beheading their victim, deserve to live and be placed in confinement where they will be fed, clothed, watch television, be given exercise time and have a bed?

Bruce W. Curtis: Amend charter to control county government budget
As a CPA who's read Athens-Clarke County's budget for years, I think citizens should require the unified government to use "zero-based budgeting," and to amend the charter to that effect. Zero-based budgeting assumes that having made past expenditures does not necessarily justify repeating, much less increasing, them. Zero-based budgeting identifies worthwhile goals, prioritizes them and determines how to achieve them efficiently. Focusing first on needs as opposed to "wish lists" would reduce costs and, therefore, reduce taxes and user fees.

Library adds digital books
Listen up, readers. The library is lending audiobooks digitally. That means you can download a book for free onto your MP3 player or computer at home.

Rich: From homecoming queen to Dairy Queen
The subject of homecoming queens started in the odd way that some topics enter into a conversation. It really had nothing to do with what we were discussing. But then, in a very real way, it did.

Lewis: Tomorrow depends on today
It's a blustery day as I write. So much so it caused our power to go out for a while. Despite the inconvenience, there's something appealing about losing electricity - temporarily. It immediately becomes apparent how dependent we are on power, and I laugh as I go through the house automatically flipping on light switches, attempting to microwave this or that and opening the fridge where it's dark as a cave and remembering I'm letting precious cool air escape.

Art plunges the depths in 'Immersion'
"These are not pastel pieces, that's for sure," says Celia Brooks, looking at the watercolors that make up the exhibit "Immersion" at the Lyndon House Arts Center, on display through July 19.

Take to the water to see Chicago
CHICAGO - The boat glides under the Michigan Avenue bridge and heads into the heart of the city, as the shimmering white Wrigley Building and neo-Gothic Tribune Tower rise to the north.

A favor for father
Ever have people tell you how much your ears look like dear old dad's? Or have friends ever been amazed at how your new bouncing baby's mischievous grin looks just like his pop's?

Today's Best Bets
Green Acres/ Crestwood Pool Open House - Splish, splash and swim for free and learn about the pool's swim team for kids, ages 4-17.

Farmers market offers produce and community
Jay Payne counts his years selling produce at Big City Bread's seasonal Saturday farmers markets as, well, fruitful. "I came on just as interest and support had started, and had some great mentors in the (farmers) who were already there," Payne says, adding he enjoyed getting to know his regular customers as well.

The British (women) are invading
WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. - Singer Duffy sits next to a clear blue swimming pool on a hotel rooftop patio, the sun setting behind her blond bouffant. She takes a sip of her drink, widens her blue eyes and grins.

Rossiter: Valedictorians prepared for bigger dreams
At 2:30 a.m. on a school night, a text message appeared in the window of Briana Griffin's cell phone. It was a fellow high school classmate calling. She wanted to know if Briana was still awake. "If you are up, call me," the note said.

Rescued puppy mill dogs up for adoption
Dogs seized from L&D Farm and Kennel in Jackson County finally are available for adoption. The puppy mill survivors will be in Athens today at Pet Supplies Plus.

James Frey returns with new novel
NEW YORK - The sign in the lobby of the Blender Theater, where James Frey is opening his once-unthinkable book tour, reads "NO RE-ENTRY. All exits are final."

The British (women) are invading
WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. - Singer Duffy sits next to a clear blue swimming pool on a hotel rooftop patio, the sun setting behind her blond bouffant. She takes a sip of her drink, widens her blue eyes and grins.

Art plunges the depths in 'Immersion'
"These are not pastel pieces, that's for sure," says Celia Brooks, looking at the watercolors that make up the exhibit "Immersion" at the Lyndon House Arts Center, on display through July 19.

Today's Best Bets
Green Acres/ Crestwood Pool Open House - Splish, splash and swim for free and learn about the pool's swim team for kids, ages 4-17.

Atkins joins country elite
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Rodney Atkins is still surprised when people recognize him in the grocery store nowadays. But give it time.

Obama planning Iowa return
EUGENE, Ore. - Attempting to lay a symbolic claim to his party's presidential nomination, Democrat Barack Obama will mark the latest round of primary voting with a rally in Iowa, where his solid win in January caucuses propelled him to his status as the front-runner.

Price tops $127 a barrel for first time
Oil prices soared more than $3 a barrel, surpassing $127 for the first time Friday and putting more pressure on already lofty gasoline and diesel prices ahead of the summer driving season in the northern hemisphere.

Aftershock jolts China quake zone
BEICHUAN, China - Rescuers pulled survivors from the rubble Friday who had been buried for four days as a strong aftershock sparked landslides near the epicenter of this week's powerful earthquake.

Bush takes heat on his peace effort
SHARM EL-SHEIK, Egypt - President Bush said Saudi Arabia's small increase in oil production will not solve soaring U.S. fuel prices, but he defended the wealthy kingdom Saturday against American lawmakers "screaming the loudest" for Riyadh to open its spigots.

Myanmar's death count doubles to 78,000
YANGON, Myanmar - The official death toll nearly doubled to 78,000 from Myanmar's killer cyclone Friday as heavy rains lashed much of the area stricken two weeks ago.

New NAACP leader its youngest
BALTIMORE - The NAACP chose 35-year-old activist and former news executive Ben Jealous as its president Saturday, making him the youngest leader in the 99-year history of the nation's largest civil rights organization.

Obama rips McCain, Bush on foreign policy
WATERTOWN, S.D. - Barack Obama laid into John McCain on Friday for advancing a tough-guy foreign policy that he called "naive and irresponsible," serving notice that he's ready to launch a full-throttle challenge to the Republican presidential contender on international relations in the general election campaign.

Kennedy treated for seizure
BOSTON - Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, the lone surviving son in a famed political family, suffered a seizure at his Cape Cod home on Saturday morning but was recovering well enough by afternoon to watch a Red Sox game from his hospital room.

Dems to discuss headquarters plan
Members of the Clarke County Democratic Committee plan to discuss opening party headquarters during their monthly meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday in the Clarke County Courthouse, 325 E. Washington St.

Man sentenced to 7 years in deadly hit, run
A Clarke County Superior Court judge Thursday sentenced a Watkinsville man to seven years in prison for running over an Athens woman and leaving her to die nearly two years ago.

State garden important to birds
Warbling might as well be the official language at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, and that's music to the ears of bird lovers in Athens.

Fireworks face budget ax
Fourth of July fireworks, customer service in the tag office and gameday traffic patrols are among the dozens of expenses Athens-Clarke commissioners are likely to cut to avoid a property tax increase.

Store clerk hides, thwarts robbery
An armed, masked man tried to get into a Westside convenience store before it opened Friday, but the clerk dashed into the office and called 911, Athens-Clarke police said.

Monument unveiling set for Memorial Day
A monument listing the names of Athens-area servicemen and women who have been awarded the Purple Heart medal will be unveiled May 26 at the annual Memorial Day in Memorial Park event.

Bitter results as pill abuse surges
Auburn narcotics detective Tony Lafreniere has been tracking a disturbing crime trend in Barrow County for a year and a half. He's busted prescription drug dealers in single-wide trailers and three-story McMansions; he's locked up 19-year-old students and middle-age professionals.

Deliberations to continue in cop trial
ATLANTA - A jury on Monday will resume deliberating the fate of an Atlanta police officer accused of helping cover up a botched drug raid in which a 92-year-old woman was killed in her home.

Chamber workshop for Spanish speakers
The Barrow County Chamber of Commerce will host a multicultural marketing workshop for Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at Lanier Technical College's Winder Campus.

Laws expand state's charter school options
ATLANTA - Georgia passed its first law allowing charter schools more than a decade ago, touting the schools as an innovative technique that would revive the state's failing public education system.

Bush again resorting to the politics of fear
There they go again. Republicans peddling fear. The most recent offender was President George W. Bush. Addressing Israel's Knesset on Thursday, he took a moment to play down-and-dirty domestic politics, linking anyone who would talk with the nation's enemies to those who succumbed to "the false comfort of appeasement" in 1939 "as Nazi tanks crossed into Poland."

Iraq can't rebuild until U.S. is gone
Congress should stop blaming the Iraqi government for our economic woes. As our economy sputters to a halt and Congress is set to spend an additional $160 billion on the war, U.S. lawmakers are openly criticizing the Iraqi government for not paying the bills.

Random Thoughts: Politics changing
BODY:The transforming aspect of this year's election is evidenced in the elevated importance of how a campaign is run; it now matters. Playing on racial fear and resentment for political advantage is not getting as good a reception as in prior election years. So far, those candidates who tolerate the worst in those on the fringe risk a powerful backlash, because America is not in that place anymore.

Give students the means to defend themselves
I do not claim to have all of the answers in the security field, but I do have some relevant experience, having served four years in the U.S. Secret Service's Vice Presidential Protective Division and eight years as assistant to the special agent in charge with the Protection Squad in the Secret Service's Atlanta field office. I'm fully retired now, and am involved in no business venture. I'm sending this nonpolitical "open letter" to collegiate security personnel out of genuine, heartfelt safety concerns.

Kids now have chances for better education
Several new education laws signed this week by Gov. Sonny Perdue open the door to educational opportunity for every child in the state, and are being hailed at home and around the nation for their promise in providing education choice.

Shipp: GOP legislators can't just tread water anymore
Raving against the shortcomings of government is as easy as eating ice cream. Governing itself is as painful as walking on hot nails. Georgia's Republicans are beginning to feel the spikes. They realize the meaning of "what I would do, if I were running things."

Some places leave a mark with patrons
When the staccato voice of an auctioneer fell silent Saturday, Barnett's Newsstand - a fixture on downtown's College Avenue for more than 50 years - officially was consigned to the memories of its patrons and to the pages of Athens' history.

Daniel: Home-schoolers, unite and take over
That Morrissey was such a wonder. Lead singer and songwriter for The Smiths, he could make a hook out of anything. Remember the line, "shoplifters of the world, unite and take over...."? I've had it running through my head ever since a California appeals court declared 166,000 students truants and their parents, criminals. Only, I replace the word "shoplifters" with "home-schoolers."

Filly a victim of exploitation
The news of Eight Belles' demise after the filly's second-place finish in the Kentucky Derby darkened that weekend. It had been a gallant run for a young filly in a colt's world - a run that ended once she crumpled to the ground immediately after the race had ended.

Black church an institution that's diverse
The Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr. made a lot of outlandish charges during his recent get-to-know-me speaking tour. One was the notion that criticism of his inflammatory statements amounts to "an attack on the black church."

Dragons live to play another game
JEFFERSON - The nine seniors on Jefferson's baseball team graduated Friday night, ending their high school careers in the classroom.

Bulldogs make regional championship
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Georgia used four multi-hit and multi-RBI performances Friday to lead the 23rd-ranked Bulldogs past Brigham Young 9-3 in the NCAA Chapel Hill Regional on Friday.

Georgia advances to Super Regional
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Christie Hamilton was just too dominant during the weekend. Georgia's starter helped sew up a spot in an NCAA Super Regional during the Bulldogs' 4-0 clinching victory over BYU on Saturday at the Chapel Hill Regional at Anderson Stadium.

Browns' Tucker to miss two months
CLEVELAND - Cleveland Browns offensive lineman Ryan Tucker broke his hip during practice this week and will miss at least two months.

NFL owners may opt out of labor deal
NEW YORK - NFL owners could opt out of their agreement with the players union next week, leaving open the possibility of a 2010 season without a salary cap.

Webb's 9-0 start main reason for Arizona's success
PHOENIX - Brandon Webb is off on another streak. Last year, he threw 42 straight scoreless innings. Now Arizona's ace has won his first nine starts. It's a remarkable feat. But it's no big deal to Webb, a laid-back Kentuckyian who relaxes between starts by strumming a guitar in his locker stall.

Santana, Mets stop Yankees
NEW YORK - Johan Santana made the Yankees pay for passing on him last winter. The two-time Cy Young Award winner pitched efficiently into the eighth inning, and the New York Mets got home runs from Jose Reyes and David Wright to top the Yankees 7-4 Saturday in the opener of a rain- shortened Subway Series.

Pictionary helped heal Busch feud
CONCORD, N.C. - Kyle Busch needed an inch, and big brother wouldn't give it to him. The result? Two cars in the wall and a family feud that lasted the rest of the year.

Montgomery gets 46-month sentence
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. - Olympic gold medalist Tim Montgomery's once-celebrated life continued its long downward spiral Friday when a federal judge sentenced the former "world's fastest man" to nearly four years in prison for dealing in bad checks.

Boston happy to be home for Game 7
WALTHAM, Mass. - The Boston Celtics can drive by the statue of Red Auerbach on their way to work today, pick up some lunch at Faneuil Hall and then warm up under the 16 NBA championship banners their predecessors helped hang from the rafters.

Braves send James to Richmond again
ATLANTA - The Braves sent left-handed pitcher Chuck James to the minors for the third time Friday and recalled reliever Phil Stockman from Triple-A Richmond.

Federer, Nadal make Hamburg Masters final
HAMBURG, Germany - Rafael Nadal won a three-set struggle with Novak Djokovic to protect his No. 2 ranking Saturday and advance to the Hamburg Masters final against the world's top-ranked player.

Braves' home streak snapped
ATLANTA - Jack Cust hit a solo home run and Ryan Sweeney added a three-run shot, and the Oakland Athletics held on to beat the Atlanta Braves 5-4 on Saturday to end a four-game skid.

Big Brown a step away from Triple Crown
BALTIMORE - Big Brown charged to the lead turning for home and then cruised down the stretch to win the Preakness on Saturday, still perfect and squarely pointed toward thoroughbred racing's first Triple Crown in 30 years.

Howell on top by one stroke
DULUTH - Charles Howell III shot a 5-under 67 on Saturday to take a one-stroke lead over Kenny Perry into the final round of the AT&T Classic.

Hot-shooting Byrd still leads
DULUTH - Jonathan Byrd took advantage of soft fairways and receptive greens at TPC Sugarloaf on Friday, shooting his second straight 6-under 66 to take a three-stroke lead in the AT&T Classic.

Atlanta wins eighth straight at Turner Field
ATLANTA - Mark Kotsay knocked in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning with a two-out RBI double, and the Atlanta Braves edged the Oakland Athletics 3-2 Friday night for their eighth straight home victory.

Cavaliers force Game 7
CLEVELAND - The Cleveland Cavaliers packed for a weekend stay in Beantown - not a few weeks on Cape Cod.

Big Brown living good life at Pimlico
BALTIMORE - Big Brown is the big shot at Pimlico this week: Led to the track by police escort; installed as the 1-2 early favorite for today's Preakness, and his trainer boasting about his big colt.

Stern challenge awaits Bulldogs
TULSA, Okla. - If Georgia wants to continue the defense of its national championship, the Bulldogs will have to survive a test from a familiar opponent.

Madebach wins title again
AUBURN, Ala. - Georgia senior Sarah Madebach won her second straight 3000-meter steeplechase title to highlight the third day of the SEC Outdoor Championships for the Bulldogs.

UGA professor gets $22,500 grant
The University System of Georgia's African-American Male Initiative has awarded University of Georgia professor Deryl Bailey a $22,500 grant to continue his work with the Gentleman on the Move program.

Grad's family follows the law
A heated political argument with her lawyer grandfather helped steer Lucy Pope Dodd to the University of Georgia School of Law, where today she becomes the fifth generation of her family to accept a diploma.

No evidence to back claim of rape at frat
State forensic experts didn't find evidence to support the possibility that a woman was raped last month after she passed out at a University of Georgia fraternity party, Athens-Clarke police said.

Regents, pharmacy prof sued
ATLANTA - Allegations that the University of Georgia Pharmacy School was providing students copies of questions used in a national standardized test has triggered a new lawsuit.